Mass Flow Rate Of Hot Fluid Calculator

Formula Used:

\[ m_h = \left( \frac{\epsilon \cdot C_{\text{min}}}{c_h} \right) \cdot \left( \frac{1}{\frac{T_1 - t_2}{T_1 - t_1}} \right) \]

Effectiveness of Heat Exchanger (ε):

Smaller Value (C_min):

Specific Heat of Hot Fluid (c_h):

J/kg·K

Entry Temperature of Hot Fluid (T₁):

Exit Temperature of Cold Fluid (t₂):

Entry Temperature of Cold Fluid (t₁):

Mass Flow Rate of Hot Fluid (mₕ):

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1. What is Mass Flow Rate of Hot Fluid?

Mass Flow Rate of Hot Fluid represents the amount of hot fluid passing through a heat exchanger per unit time. It is a crucial parameter in thermal engineering and heat transfer analysis, particularly in the design and evaluation of heat exchangers.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ m_h = \left( \frac{\epsilon \cdot C_{\text{min}}}{c_h} \right) \cdot \left( \frac{1}{\frac{T_1 - t_2}{T_1 - t_1}} \right) \]

Where:

\( m_h \) — Mass flow rate of hot fluid (kg/s)
\( \epsilon \) — Effectiveness of heat exchanger
\( C_{\text{min}} \) — Smaller value of mass flowrate × specific heat
\( c_h \) — Specific heat of hot fluid (J/kg·K)
\( T_1 \) — Entry temperature of hot fluid (K)
\( t_2 \) — Exit temperature of cold fluid (K)
\( t_1 \) — Entry temperature of cold fluid (K)

Explanation: This formula calculates the mass flow rate of the hot fluid based on heat exchanger effectiveness, thermal properties, and temperature differences.

3. Importance of Mass Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation of mass flow rate is essential for proper heat exchanger design, performance evaluation, energy efficiency analysis, and system optimization in various industrial applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all required parameters with appropriate units. Ensure temperature values are in Kelvin and specific heat values are consistent. The calculator will compute the mass flow rate of the hot fluid.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the significance of C_min in this calculation?
A: C_min represents the smaller heat capacity rate (mass flow rate × specific heat) between the hot and cold fluids, which determines the maximum possible heat transfer rate.

Q2: Why is effectiveness important in heat exchanger calculations?
A: Effectiveness measures how well the heat exchanger performs relative to its maximum possible performance, making it a key parameter in heat exchanger analysis.

Q3: What are typical units for mass flow rate?
A: Mass flow rate is typically measured in kilograms per second (kg/s) in SI units, though other units like kg/h or lb/s may be used in different contexts.

Q4: How does temperature difference affect mass flow rate?
A: Larger temperature differences generally allow for higher heat transfer rates, which may require adjustments in mass flow rates to achieve desired thermal performance.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for both parallel and counter-flow heat exchangers?
A: The effectiveness-based approach is generally applicable to various heat exchanger configurations, though the specific effectiveness relationship may vary depending on the flow arrangement.